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For Maple Leafs defenceman Morgan Rielly, Monday night’s game against the Anaheim Ducks was the first time he was to play against a former coach — Randy Carlyle, to be specific.

“Randy is a guy that gave me a chance to play in this league when I was 19 years old,” Rielly said. “He put a lot of trust in me, and put me out there, and I’m very grateful for the opportunity I was given.

“I’m glad to see him back.”

Centre Nazem Kadri credited Carlyle with his own awareness on defensive play.

BACK TO THE BIGS: Frederik Gauthier and Josh Leivo will make their debuts with the Leafs this season, replacing Tyler Bozak (lower body) and Ben Smith (upper body). Gauthier had one assist in seven games with big club last season.

“This year, I know what I’m doing, how to prepare, all the little details I wasn’t sure about,” Gauthier said.

Leafs coach Mike Babcock is impressed by Gauthier’s size. “Gauthier is a great, big man, six-foot-five, 235 (pounds). You just have to play like you’re that big.”

Leivo, who has played just five games with the Marlies since exiting training camp with a suspected lower-body injury, said it was frustrating to be on the sidelines for so long.

“I’m fully healthy, just excited to get back. It’s been a while,” he said. “It’s frustrating when you have an injury, especially when it goes longer than expected. But the guys here keep you positive.”

The winger had five goals in 12 games with the Leafs last year.

“Leivo is real good on the cycle and can flat-out score,” Babcock said. “The issue always is can he get up and down the rink quick enough.”

BEEN HERE, DONE THAT: Former Leafs goalie Jonathan Bernier, now with Anaheim, said he was glad former teammate James Reimer got to experience the Stanley Cup final after he was traded to San Jose, and even happier Reimer signed a big deal with the Florida Panthers.

“Good for him,” said Bernier. “It worked out really well for him. He battled through a lot of stuff. When you play in a big market like this and go through ups and downs, you become a stronger person. He’s been through a lot. I’m happy for him.”

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